Feed-water regulator for steam-boilers.



No. 679,8!4. Patented Aug. 6, I90l.

I A. J. wmem. FEED WATER REGULATOR FOB STEAM BOILERS.

Application filed May 13, 1901.) I N Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet l.

W/TNESSES INVENTOR Tm: "cams PETERS co. Pxarolumoq wAsnmnron, m c,

No. 679,814. Patented Aug. 6.19M.

- A. J. WRIGHT:

FEED WATER REGULATOR FOB STEAM BOILERS.

(Application filed May 18, 1901.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Shut 2.

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No. 679,8l4. Patented Aug. 6, l90l.

A. J. WRIGHT.

FEED WATER REGULATOR FOB STEAM BOILERS.

(Application filed May 13,1901.) (No Model.) 3 Shasta-Sheet 3.

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.UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

ALLEN J. wnien'r, or CLEVELAND, OHIO.

,FEED-WA'TER REGULATOR FQR STEAM-BOILERS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 679,814, dated. August 6, 1901;

Application filed May 13, 1901.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALLEN J. WRIGHT, a resident of Cleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Feed- Water Regulators for Steam-Boilers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in feed-water regulators for steam-boilers.

The object of this invention is to provide simple, sensitive, and reliable apparatus for automatically regulating the supplyof water to a steam-boiler, and thereby automatically maintaining the desired depth of water within the boiler.

With this object in view and to the end of realizing other advantages hereinafter appearing the invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a side elevation of a portion of a steam-boiler provided with feed-water-regulating apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. II is a side elevation, largely in section, of those portions of the feed-water-regulating apparatus which embody my invention, drawn on a larger scale than Fig. I. Figs. III and IV are elevations, largely in section, of portions of the feed-water-regulating apparatus and are illustrative of the operation of the apparatus. Portions are broken away in the drawings to reduce the size of the same.

Referring to the drawings, a (see Fig. I) designates a horizontally arranged steamboiler provided with my improved feed-waterregulating apparatus, and 1) indicates the pipe for supplying water to the boiler at or near the bottom of the boiler. A valve-casing 1) is arranged in the line of the pipe I), as shown in Fig. 11, and has its chamber forming a portion of the passage-way for conducting water under pressure in any approved manner to the boiler. A partition 1') extends transversely of the chamber of the val ve-ca-sing from top to bottom of the said casing and is provided with a vertically-arranged port b whose surrounding wallflares upwardly and forms a seat for a correspondingly-shaped vertically-movable valve 0, which is instrumental in controlling, therefore, communication through the passage-way formed by the pipe I) and the valve-casing b. The valve 0 is normally open, and obviously the supply of water to the boiler is increased or diminished, according as the valve is shifted from or toward its seat. The valve 0 is provided'with an upwardly-extending vertically-arranged stem 0, which extends upwardly through a s'tuifing-box b, with which the top of the valve-casing b is provided. The stem 0 has its upper end attached by means of a coupling c to the lower end of a vertically-arranged stem d, depending from and secured to a vertically-shiftable diaphragm or body (1, which extends in a horizontal plane transversely of the casing g, containing the said diaphragm or movable body or member d and forming within the said casing an upper chamber e'and a lower chamberf at opposite faces, respectively, of the said diaphragm or movable body d. The movable body or member 61 if formed by a flexible diaphragm, as illustrated, is made, preferably, largely of rubber and applied in any approved manner. Obviously the said member (1 is elevated or bulged upwardly, so as to open the connected valve 0 still farther and increase the flow of water to the boiler when the power exerted by fluid under pressure introduced into the chamberf, formed below the said member 611, exceeds the power exerted by the weight of the said member cl and the connected valve and pressure Within the chamber next above the said member d. Obviously, also, the valve 0 will be shifted toward its seat and reduce the flow of water to the boiler when fluid pressure on top of the movable bodyd exceeds the pressure against the bottom of the said member at, and the valve 0 will remain stationary as long as the pressure upwardly upon the member d shall equal the combined influence of gravity and pressure downwardly upon the said member d.

Two pipe-lines e and f connect the upper chamber 6 and lower chamber f, respectively, of the casing g with two ports 6 and f formed in and extending vertically through the cap h of a water-column-forming casing or receptacle h, which is supported in any ICO approved manner externally of the boiler and extends above and below the desired level of water which is to be maintained within the boiler, which level is indicated by the dotted line min Figs. I and II. The ports e and f are formed in the cap h of the casing or receptacle h at one side of the said casing or receptacle. Two upright valves 6 and f are arranged to control communication through the ports e and f respectively, from below and extend downwardly into the chamber 71, of the receptacle h and are pivoted horizontally at their lower ends, as at k, to a verticallytiltable lever 70, which is horizontally f ulcrumed, as at W, cen trally between the valves 6 andf to a hanger-forming lug h depending from and integral with the cap h. The lever extends from the valves 6 and f inwardly to the central portion of the casing or receptacle h, and a float Z is suspended from the lever is centrally of the casing h, having its upwardly-projecting stem Z pivoted horizontally at its upper end to the inner end of the lever is. The cap h of the casing 72. is provided centrally with a steam-inlet-forming aperture 0, (see Fig. 11,) which when the-casing is applied to a steam-boiler, as shown in Fig. I, is connected by a pipe 0 with -the steam-space of the boiler a suitable distance above the normal water-levelm. The bottom of the casing h has'a Water-inlet-forming aperture 19, (see Fig. II,) which when the casing is applied to a boiler, as shown in Fig. I, is connected by a pipe p with the water-space of the boiler'a suitable distance below the normal water-level m. The casing h is provided at one side with a water-gage n.

The arrangement of the parts is such that normally when the water-level is at the elevation desired to be maintained in the boiler the float Z is in an intermediate position, as shown in Fig. II, holding both valves connected thereto open approximately uniformly, so that such a quantity of steam can pass from within the upper portion of the float-containing casing through both ports 6 and f as will result in the holding of the diaphragm or movable body or member d in an intermediate position, so that the water-supply-regulating valve 0 will be held in an intermediate position, as illustrated in Fig; II, and will permit the flow of water to the boiler a. When the water-level becomes abnormal, the

float Z will be elevated or lowered, according as the level of water rises or falls, and there by shift the different pressure-regulating valves in opposite directions, so as to modify the pressure upon opposite faces of the movable valve-actuating body d as required to check any abnormal tendency of the waterlevel and promptly restore the normal depth of water in the boiler. For instance, when the water-level descends, so as to lower the float Z, the float-connected lever is is tilted in the direction required to fartheropen the valve f and more nearly close the valve 8 as shown in Fig. III, and thereby result in in protecting the diaphragm or member the passage of more steam from the chamber of the casing 72. through the port j than passes through the port e so as to subject the lower face of the movable body or member (1 to enough more pressure than the upper face of the said member d to efiect the bulging or moving upward of the said member d and open the connected water-supply valve 0 still farther and permit an increased flow of water to the boiler. When the water-level rises above the normal water-line, the float Z is elevated, so as to tilt the connected lever-1c in the direction required to farther open the valve 8 and more nearly close the valve f as shown in Fig. IV, and thereby result in the passage of more steam from within the chamber of the casing it through the port 6 than passes through the port f and consequently place the upper surface of the movable body or member d under enough more pressure than the pressure acting against the lower surface of the said member d to effect the actuation of the water-supply valve 0 toward its seat, and thereby result in a diminished flow of water to the boiler.

By my improved apparatus hereinbefore described it will be observed that some Water will likely flow to the boiler at all times during the operation of the boiler, and the apparatus so promptly responds to any abnormal shifting of the water-level from the normal line that there will be little fluctuation in the water-level, and the Wear upon the operating parts is reduced to a minimum. It will be observed also that soon after the commencement of the operation of the boiler provided with my improved watersupply-regulating apparatus the accumulation of water resulting from the condensation of steam admitted to the pipe-lines e and f will cause the chambers e andfand the adjacent portions of the said pipe-lines to become supplied with water. To utilize this accumulation of wcsltter y avoiding steam from coming in direct contact with and injuring the said member d or the casing inclosing the said member (1 and at the same time prevent the accumulation of water in the said pipe-lines from impeding the operation of the apparatus,'I have provided the following peculiar construction and arrangement of the said pipe-lines.

The pipe-line ef comprises an upright pipesection 6, connected at its lower end with the chamber 6 and having its upper end connected by an elbow 7 with one end of a horizontallyarranged pipe-section 8, which has its other end connected by a T 9 with two upright pipesections 10 and 11, arranged, respectively, below and above the said T. The upper pipesection 11 is closed at its upper end by a cap 12. The lower pipe-section 10 connects at its lower end with the upper end of the port e The pipe-line f comprises an upright pipesection l6,connected at its lower end with the chamber f and having its upper end connected by an elbow 17 with one end of a horiiontally-arranged pipe-section 18, which has its other end connected by a T 19 with two upright pipe-sections 20 and 21, arranged, respectively,below and above the said T. The upper pipe-section 21 is closed at its upper end by a cap 22. The lower pipe-section 20 connects at its lower end with the upper end of the port f Suppose that normally the chambers e and f and the connected pipe-sections 6 and 16 are filled with water, as would be the case soon after the commencement of the operation of the apparatus, and that in Fig. II the dotted line r indicates the height of water within the pipe-section 6 of the pipe-line e, and 8 indicates the height of waterin the pipe-section 16 of the pipe-linef. \Vhen the waterlevel in the boilerfalls below the normal line and the pressure upon the lower face of the diaphragm or member (1 becomes sufficient to upwardly bulge or move the said member 61, as shown in Fig. III, wateris displaced from the upper chamber 6 into the pipe-line e, and the pipe-sections 8, 10, and 11 accommodate this displacement of water from the said chamber and avoid water-hammering and any impediment by the said displacement of water to the operation of the apparatus. The said displaced water will have a comparatively small flow from the port e in the more nearly closed position of the valve 6 (shown in Fig. 1H,) but will have a comparatively large flow through the said port into the chamber of the casing 71, when the said valve is opened to the extent shown in Fig. IV, so as to quickly accommodate the free passage of steam through the said port into the said pipeline 6' when the water-level in the boiler rises above the normal line. When the water-level in the boiler has fallen below the normal line and pressure upon the upper face of the diaphragm or member d becomes sufiicient to downwardly bulge or move the said member d, as shown in Fig. IV, water is displaced from the lower chamberfinto the pipe-linef,

and the pipe-sections 18, 20, and 21 accom-' modate this displacement of water from the said chamber, so as to avoid water-hammering and any impediment by the said displacement of water to the operation of the apparatus, and the displaced water will have a comparatively slow vflow from the port f in the position of the valve shown in-Fig.

IV, but will have a comparatively large flow through the said port into the chamber of the casing h when the said valve is opened to the extent shown in Fig. III, so as to quickly accommodate the free passage of steam through the said port into the said pipe-line f when the water-level in the boiler falls below the normal line. It will be observed, therefore,

" that all water resulting from condensation of steam in the pipe-lines e and f can escape only from the said pipe-lines into the chamber of the casing h. The water is not wasted, but is advantageously employed without impairing the operation of the apparatus.

What I claim is 1. In apparatus for supplying water to a boiler, the combination, with the boiler, the pipe for supplying water to the boiler, and the valve for controlling or regulating the flow of water through the said pipe and normally open, of a casing or receptacle 71 extending above and below the water-level desired to be maintained in the boiler and having asteam-inlet and awater-inlet connected with the steam-space and water-space, respectively, of the boiler; two ports formed in, and connected with, the steam-space of the said casing; two valves for controlling or regulating communication through the different ports, respectively, and both normally open,and means whereby the two valves are moved in opposite directions, respectively, during the shifting of the water-level within the boiler from the normal line; a movable body or member operatively connected with the water-supply-regulating valve; a shell or casing divided by the said movable body into two chambers, and two pipe-lines or passage-ways connecting the differentchambers,respectively, of the said lastmentioned shell or casing with the different ports, respectively, of the first-mentioned casing or receptacle, and the arrangement of parts being such that the water-supply-regulating valve shall move in the direction required to increase the flow of water to the boiler or in the opposite direction according as the water-level within the boiler falls below or rises above the normal line.

2. In apparatus for supplying water to a boiler, the combination, with the boiler, the pipe for supplying water to the boiler, and the valve for controlling or regulating the flow of water through the said pipe, of a casing or receptacle h extending above and below the water-level desired to be maintained in the boiler and having a steam-inlet and a water-inlet connected with the steam-space and water-space, respectively, of the boiler; two ports formed in, and connected with the steam-space of, the said casing; two valves for controlling or regulating communication through the different ports, respectively; means whereby the two last-mentioned valves are movedin opposite directions,respectively, during the shifting of the water-level within the boiler and the aforesaid casing from the normal line; a movable body or member operatively connected with the water-supplyregulating valve; a shell or casing divided by the said movable bodyinto two chambers; and two pipe-lines or passage-ways connecting the different chambers, respectively, of the said last-mentioned shell or casing with the different ports, respectively, of the first mentioned casing or receptacle, and having, respectively, such trend or arrangement as to become supplied with and retain water resulting from condensation of steam during the operation of the apparatus and conduct pipe for supplying Water to the boiler, and the valve-for controlling or regulating the flow of water through the said pipe, of a casing or receptacle h extending above and below the water-level desired to be maintained in the boiler and having a steam-inlet and a water-inlet connected with the steam-space and water-space, respectively, of the boiler; two ports formed in, and connected with the steam-space of, the said casing and arranged side by side; two valves for controlling or regulating communication through the different ports, respectively, and both normally open; a vertically-tilting lever supported from the said casing centrally between and operatively connected with the said last-mentioned valves; means whereby'the said lever is tilted in the one direction or the other according as the water-level within the boiler falls below or rises above the normal line; a movable body or member operatively connected with the water supplyregulating valve; a shell or casing divided by the said movable body into two chambers, and two pipe-lines or passage-Ways connecting the diiferent chambers, respectively, of the lastmentioned shell or casing with the difierent ports, respectively, of the first-mentioned casing or receptacle, and the arrangement of parts being such that the water-supply-regulating valve shall move in the direction required to increase the flow of water to the boiler or in the opposite direction according as the water-level within the boiler falls below or rises above the normal line.

4. In apparatus for supplying water to a boiler, the combination, with the boiler, the pipe for supplying water to the boiler, and the valve for controlling or regulating the flow of water through the said pipe, of a-casing or receptacle h extending above and below the water-level desired to be maintained in the boiler and provided with a steam-inlet and a water-inlet connected with the steamspace and water-space, respectively, of the boiler; two ports formed in, and connecting with, the steam-space of the said casing and arranged side by side; two normally open valves for controlling or regulating communication through the difierent ports, respectively; a vertically-tiltable lever fulcruined to the said casing centrally between and operatively connected with the last-mentioned valves; a float within the said casing and suspended from the lever; a movable body or member operatively connected with the water supply-regulating valve; a shell or casing divided by the said movable body into two chambers, and pipe-lines or passage-ways connecting the different chambers, respectively, of the last-mentioned shell or casing with the different ports, respectively, of the first-mentioned casing or receptacle, and the arrangement of parts being such that all of the valves shall be in an intermediate open boiler, the combination, with the boiler, the I pipe for supplying water to the boiler, and the valve for controlling or regulating the flow of water through the said pipe, of a casing or receptacle h extending above and below the Water-level desired to be maintained in the boiler and provided with a steam-inlet and a water-inlet connected with the steamspace and water-space, respectively, of the boiler; a cap closing the casing or receptacle at the top; two vertically arranged ports formed in the cap at one side of the casing or receptacle; two valves for controlling or regulating communication through the different ports, respectively; a lug or hanger depending from and rigid with the cap between the two ports; a vertically tiltable lever fulcrumed to the said lug or hanger centrally between and operatively connected with the last-mentioned valves; means whereby the said lever is tilted in the one direction or the other according as the water-level within the boiler falls below or rises above the normal line; a movable body or member operatively connected with the water-supply-regulating valve; a shell or casing divided by the said movable body into two chambers, and pipelines or passage-ways connecting the different chambers, respectively, of the last-mentioned shell or casing with the different ports, respectively, of the first-mentioned casing or receptacle, and the arrangement of parts being such that all of the valves shall be and remain open when the boiler has once been supplied with the normal depth of Water.

6. In apparatus for supplying water to a boiler, the combination, with the boiler, the pipe for supplying water to the boiler, and the valve for controlling or regulating the flow of water through the said pipe, of a receptacle h arranged externally of the boiler and extending above and below the water-level desired to be maintained within the boiler,which receptacle has a water-inlet and a steam-inlet connected with the water-space and steamspace, respectively, of the boiler; two ports formed in and connected with the steam-space of the said casing; two valves controlling or regulating communication through the different ports, respectively; means whereby the last-mentioned valves are both normally open but moved in opposite directions, respectively, during the shifting of the water-level within the boiler from the normal line; another shell or casing arranged externally of the boiler; a movable body or member dividing the last-mentioned casing or shell interiorly into two chambers, an operative connection between the said movable body or member and the aforesaid water-supply-regulating valve; two water-retaining pipe-lines or passage ways connecting the difierent aforesaid chambers, respectively, with the different aforesaid ports, respectively, andter resulting from condensation of steam, and

comprising pipe-sections so arranged that water shall be retained in the aforesaid chambers during the operation of the apparatus.

7. In apparatus for supplying water to a boiler, the combination, with the boiler, the pipe for supplying water to the boiler, and the valve for controlling or regulating the flow of water through the said pipe, of a casing or receptacle h arranged externally of the boiler and extending above and below the water-level desired to be maintained within the boiler, which casing has a water-inlet and a steam-inlet connected with the waterspace and steam-space, respectively, of the boiler, and two ports arranged to receive steam from the said steam-inlet and arranged to discharge water into the said casing; two

valves controlling or regulating communication through the different ports, respectively; means whereby the two last-mentioned valves are movedin opposite directions,respeotively, during the shifting of the water-level within the boiler from the normal line; another shell or casing arranged externally of the boiler below the first-mentioned casing or receptaole; a movable body or member dividing the said lower casing or shell interiorly into two chambers; an operative connection between the said movable body or member and the aforesaid water-supply-regulating valve; two water-retaining pipe-lines connecting the different aforesaid chambers, respectively, with the different aforesaid ports,respectively, and extending above and below the ports so that water will be retained within the lower portion of the pipe-lines during the operation of the apparatus, and Water displaced into or formed in the upper portion of the pipedines can escape through the ports into the chamber of the ported casing or receptacle,

8. In apparatus for supplying water to a boiler, the combination, with the boiler, the pipe for supplying water to the boiler, and the valve controlling or regulating the flow of water through the said pipe, of a casing or receptacle h arranged externally of the boiler and extending above and below the water-level desired to be maintained-within the boiler, which casing has a water-inlet connected with the water-space of the boiler and has its upper portion provided with a steaminlet connected with the steam-space of the boiler 5. two ports formed in the upper portion of the said casing; two valves controlling or regulating communication through the difierent ports, respectively; means whereby the two last-mentioned valves are moved in opposite directions, respectively, during the shifting of the water-level within the boiler from the normal line; another shell or casing arranged externally of the boiler below the firstmentioned casing or receptacle; a movable body or member dividing the said lower casing or shell interiorly into two chambers; an op-- erative connection between the said movable body or member and the aforesaid Water-sup ply-regulating valve; two pipe-lines or passage-ways connecting the different aforesaid chambers, respectively, with the difierent aforesaid ports, respectively, and com-prising each a pipe-section arranged in a horizontal plane and connected, at one end, with the connected port, an upright pipe-section connecting the opposite end of the first-mentioned pipe-section with the connected chamber, and another upright pipe-section closed at its upper end and connected with the firstmentioned pipe-section above the said port, substantially as and for the purpose set forth,

Signed by me at Cleveland, Ohio, this 5th day of February, 1901. V

ALLEN J. WRIGHT,

Witnesses:

O. H. DORER, A. H. PARRATT. 

